Doug Pederson says the Eagles will need to rely on JJ Arcega-Whiteside more these next few games

[UK_EaglesFan89]

Doug Pederson says the Eagles will need to rely on JJ Arcega-Whiteside more these next few games

 

Plus, the head coach talks Press Taylor’s game day role.

Eagles’ head coach Doug Pederson spoke to the media before practice on Friday about his confidence in JJ Arcega-Whiteside, what he sees in Bengals’ QB Joe Burrow, and how he’s still finding the right face covering for game day.

 

Pederson also confirmed that Fletcher Cox is still day-to-day. He’s going to try and get some work in on Friday and see where he’s at physically, but he’ll be a game day decision.

Here’s what the head coach had to say:

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On specific offensive players

Pederson was asked about his confidence in JJ Arcega-Whiteside, particularly now that Jalen Reagor will miss multiple games.

"I’ve always been confident in JJ. What I like about JJ is he’s a player that we can use in multiple positions. He knows outside, he knows inside. Smart guy and someone we’re going to have to lean on a little bit here in the next couple of games.”

The head coach also said that it was great to get Alshon Jeffery back out on the practice field, and he’s optimistic moving forward that the WR might be ready in the next couple of weeks. Pederson noted that it depends on how Jeffery recovers from his first practice back, and they definitely don’t want to push it. He also confirmed that Jeffery will not be ready to go against Cincinnati — he hasn’t taken enough practice reps.

Pederson was asked about Miles Sanders’ comments after the Rams game about his conditioning, but the head coach wasn’t surprised given how much of training camp the running back missed, along with not having preseason games. He said it takes a lot to get conditioned to play for 60 minutes, but that he’s confident Sanders will continue to improve in the coming weeks.

They decided to move Nate Herbig over to left guard and put Matt Pryor at right guard. Pederson explained that Pryor has played right guard for them, specifically, and Herbig has been a guy that they can move around a little more. Pryor, ultimately, feels more comfortable at right guard.

As far as having Jalen Hurts active last week, Pederson felt like it was an opportunity to get Hurts some game time, but that it was nothing against Nate Sudfeld. The No. 2 QB will continue to be a week-to-week decision based on opponent and game plan.

On his impression of Bengals’ QB Joe Burrow

"Obviously, his ability to extend plays. Also, his ability to hang in there, be tough in the pocket — he’s taken some hits these first couple of weeks, and really bounced up. I just think, right now, nothing has really phased him. He’s mentally tough, physically tough, he’s a good athlete, he throws a really good football — very accurate football, a catchable football. Those are all great things that he, being a young quarterback, can posses, obviously, with a team that has weapons and fire power that they have on offense.”

On face coverings on game day

Pederson has been trying different face shields and masks, but said that it isn’t due to the recent wave of fines throughout the league.

He went on to explain in detail how one face shield was more contoured to his face but wasn’t strong enough in the wind, so he got another that was a little more stable in the wind — but the issue with shields in general is that they get warm, especially in the humidity. So, he went back to a mask yesterday afternoon, but still has other items to try out and hasn’t made a final decision yet.

"I will have something on my face, for sure.”

On Press Taylor’s role on game day

Pederson explained that Taylor controls and coaches the quarterback, but that he’s also the one that speaks to the rest of the staff, gathers information, and gets it to Doug. Rich Scangarello is in the booth and is in Pederson’s ear during 2 minute drives, and sometimes the head coach will go directly to Jeff Stoutland with a run question or play they want to run, but everything else funnels through Taylor.

On placing blame for last week’s loss

Pederson said that he appreciates that Jim Schwartz took ownership over the poor defensive game plan against the Rams. He noted that they talk a lot about ownership and accountability in the building, and that’s particularly true among the coaches.

The head coach said that it’s just something that coaches know when the fault lies with them. In private, they might have the more difficult conversations with players about execution and individual issues, but that’s not something they do publicly.

The guys have responded well from the loss, Pederson said, and that Wednesday’s practice was energetic. He admitted that this team is "below average” right now with the turnovers and issues they’ve had, but the guys understand where they are and what they need to do to be good.

https://www.bleedinggreennation.com/2020/9/25/21455939/philadelphia-eagles-doug-pederson-offense-jj-arcega-whiteside-receivers-offensive-line-bengals-nfl

Press Taylor controls and coaches the QBs on game day? He isn't doing a very good job of it then. 

[weko]

In Dilbert speak Doug just called out Whiteside publically.  What it means is, it's time for you to contribute or you're going to sit.  It also implies covering his butt as it means, you expect me to win when this is what I have to work with?  They lose this game and it's every man for himself.

[PoconoDon]

Good luck with that Doug!!

[jsdarkstar]

If that's the plan, the first pick in the draft is looking more likely. Uggh. 

[time2rock]

People were extremely critical of those of us who were expressing a huge concern for what impact on the offense would be with losing Reich and Flip after that '17 season.  Three years later and it sure looks like we were right to be concerned.  Regardless of what they have done since moving on, the fact remains that when the 3 of them (to include Doug) were together, they had a really excellent group assembled that worked extremely well together to come up with really creative and explosive offensive game plans - I think the old phrase quoted by Aristotle, "The whole is greater than the sum of its parts" applies.  I also think Flip was the last really good QB coach Carson has had - Wentz hasn't played at the same level since his departure.  

[UK_EaglesFan89]

1 hour ago, time2rock said:

People were extremely critical of those of us who were expressing a huge concern for what impact on the offense would be with losing Reich and Flip after that '17 season.  Three years later and it sure looks like we were right to be concerned.  Regardless of what they have done since moving on, the fact remains that when the 3 of them (to include Doug) were together, they had a really excellent group assembled that worked extremely well together to come up with really creative and explosive offensive game plans - I think the old phrase quoted by Aristotle, "The whole is greater than the sum of its parts" applies.  I also think Flip was the last really good QB coach Carson has had - Wentz hasn't played at the same level since his departure.  

Unfortunately bud there are those fans that blindly want the team to win even when that ultimately hurts the team in the longer term. Of course we want our team to win but there comes a time for the bigger picture. I'm sure you were just written off as another negative Eagles fan. 

[Road to Victory]

JJ had a great game... glad we can rely on him.

[hoosierdaddy]

JJSMFH

[time2rock]

Another wasted high pick.  Great job Howie (you suck!!!!!).  

[Portyansky]

3 hours ago, Road to Victory said:

JJ had a great game... glad we can rely on him.

Someone needs to collect the jockstraps after the game.... Who am I kidding, I bet he'd get lost doing that as well.

[slick1234]

Doug has to deal with the hand given to him. JJ was an awful draft choice and no matter how Howie puts it this guy is not an NFL receiver. He was lost last year and this year he has no excuse except that he is just terrible. Doug must be pissed that was given these players that have very little talent and of course it seems to fall on him. Wentz is in a funk and he doesn't seem to know what to do. Team is losing and the QB is not helping matters. Guess there needs to be a house cleaning and it will take a few years to be competitive. In the meantime lets bash the team and at the same time support them. That should take us to the psycho ward.

 

[NOTW]

JJLOL

[UK_EaglesFan89]

Is this the worst second round pick Howie has ever made? I mean it's between him and Cindy Jones but at least Cindy had an injury excuse and made a couple of plays. 

[NOTW]

14 hours ago, UK_EaglesFan89 said:

Is this the worst second round pick Howie has ever made? I mean it's between him and Cindy Jones but at least Cindy had an injury excuse and made a couple of plays. 

Yes, JJLOL the worst.  2 years in a row with injuries to starters and wide open opportunity to step up and he's being shown up by guys plucked from the practice squad.

[time2rock]

2 hours ago, NOTW said:

Yes, JJLOL the worst.  2 years in a row with injuries to starters and wide open opportunity to step up and he's being shown up by guys plucked from the practice squad.

JJLOL

But yeah I do think so far he has been the worst of the recent (last 15 years?) 2nd rd picks.  Even though we’ve blown 2nd rd picks on the likes of Jaiquawn Jarrett, Winston Justice, Matt McCoy, etc., it’s hard to compete with ZERO production.  😏

[Damanick10]

2 hours ago, time2rock said:

JJLOL

But yeah I do think so far he has been the worst of the recent (last 15 years?) 2nd rd picks.  Even though we’ve blown 2nd rd picks on the likes of Jaiquawn Jarrett, Winston Justice, Matt McCoy, etc., it’s hard to compete with ZERO production.  😏

And the fact that we drafted him over Metcalf makes it so much worse.

[time2rock]

3 minutes ago, Damanick10 said:

And the fact that we drafted him over Metcalf makes it so much worse.

That’s boy genius Howie for ya.  

[UK_EaglesFan89]

9 hours ago, NOTW said:

Yes, JJLOL the worst.  2 years in a row with injuries to starters and wide open opportunity to step up and he's being shown up by guys plucked from the practice squad.

Yeah he's simply got to be cut. Just like Hollins last year he's wasting a roster spot.

[PoconoDon]

18 hours ago, Damanick10 said:

And the fact that we drafted him over Metcalf makes it so much worse.

 

18 hours ago, time2rock said:

That’s boy genius Howie for ya.  

 

Gentlemen,

To Howie the following Bulls*** is clearly true:   PAC-12 > SEC. That is F'ing INSANE.

Howie's an absolute dumba** and a scouting FAILURE.

I fear he will never be permanently relieved of those responsibilities. A Perennial 7-9 football team with a string of coaches, personnel guys from the analytics side, and others to blame for Howie's complete inability to find and draft elite prospects.